The IT needs of small and medium-sized businesses(SMBs) aren't very different from those of large organizations. However, most small businesses can't afford to hire a full IT team. Despite this, it's crucial for SMB owners to manage their IT — either internally or using a Managed IT Services company.
Information Technology is an integral part of modern business and can't be treated as a separate department. Technology is everywhere, affecting every aspect of your work and life. Proper IT operations and management are essential because the cost of unmanaged IT and downtime can be surprisingly high.
This blog post aims to provide you with a comprehensive IT checklist that helps give a clear view of all IT aspects within your company. Managing IT might seem like an overwhelming task of constant firefighting, but it's much easier when broken down into manageable steps. This IT checklist outlines common issues you may face and the actions needed to address them, helping you understand and manage your IT needs more effectively.
You can access the checklist using the following links:
In the following sections, we give you a comprehensive overview of the IT checklist covering all aspects of technology essential for daily operations, security, and growth. This detailed guide will help you ensure your IT infrastructure is robust, secure, and efficient:
The checks required for the initial Information Technology infrastructure setup are similar to what you would have during an office relocation. We have covered it in detail in our earlier blog posts that you can access using the following links:
Here is a quick recap of the key checklist items:
Decide where to locate each department, server room, conference room, printers, copiers, and network & WiFi equipment.
Design the network to accommodate the new office layout, size, and connectivity needs, which may require you to augment the existing network with new switches and access points (APs).
Choose an ISP as well as a backup ISP and negotiate the best package for your company.
Ensure that the electrical wiring and sufficient outlets are in place.
The IT department is the most critical for any business operation. By arranging for the IT setup to be completed first, you will ensure that your company will be up and running quickly. Here is the priority checklist:
It is often quite tempting to buy new equipment without thinking about how it will be installed. Due to this lack of forethought, it is not uncommon for the entire business to come to a standstill as five employees try to install a new scanner “just like the one they had in their previous company”.
SMBs also make the mistake of purchasing equipment for their office based on their experience with “similar” equipment at their homes as they fail to realize that most equipment suitable for home use will not run well in a business environment. To avoid such pitfalls, you must ensure that the equipment you purchase is suitable for use in a business network environment.
Here are the key information technology infrastructure checklist items to consider:
Software licenses are valuable assets for your company. It’s easy to install software on a computer and completely forget that it’s there. It is even easier to forget if you have a service contract, what it includes, and if and when you should renew.
Imagine forgetting to renew your domain name! Yes, this happens despite receiving numerous emails, which mysteriously get lost in your inbox. Domain names, although cheap, are invaluable as an identity for your business. Any slip-up with it can see your domain name get into the hands of a squatter who will try to extract a hefty price for returning it.
Therefore, you should standardize the processes for purchasing, licensing, renewing, and updating. There should be someone responsible for it and everything must be documented and easily accessible when required.
Some of the key checklist items you need to consider are:
The network is the backbone of your entire business. It is the gateway that gives access to the organization’s digital resources and the Internet, facilitating productivity, communication, and collaboration. These same traits also make the network a valuable target for bad actors. Therefore, the network requires constant attention to ensure productivity on one hand, and security on the other.
For a more in-depth network security checklist, check out our blog post The Ultimate Network Security Checklist.
The cloud offers an excellent solution for small businesses allowing them to scale their infrastructure and keep pace with their growing business. The cloud is ideal for small businesses as it is affordable, fast, and flexible. However, it’s not all good news. Before you can move your business to the cloud, you need to consider some critical questions. We have talked about it in detail in our blog: 5 Critical Steps For Building A Successful Cloud Strategy
Some of the Cloud checklist items to consider:
With all the data companies handle and rely on, be it client data or internal information, data, data management has become an integral part of IT management.
The following are the key data management items to consider:
Here are some useful resources to help you build a more robust data management program:
SMSs are more likely to fall into cybersecurity bad habits than larger businesses. This is because, typically, they lack a robust IT Security policy. With the adoption of every new technology, the need for cybersecurity vigilance increases. Small businesses must be extra vigilant because 43% of cyberattacks are targeted at small businesses.
Here are key IT Security checklist items to consider:
We have shared a more detailed IT Security checklist in an earlier blog post that you can access here: The Best IT Security Audit Checklist For Small Business.
Employees are the most important pillar of any organization. Keeping them well-supported and informed goes a long way in ensuring business productivity and overall security.
Here are key items related to employee support you need to consider:
Here are additional resources to help you with employee training:
A disaster recovery plan helps minimize downtime and keeps your business operations running in the event of disasters such as ransomware attacks, natural disasters, etc.
Here are the key disaster recovery items you need to consider:
Monitoring and reporting are important tools that help track performance, security incidents, and compliance issues, enabling better decision-making and facilitating system improvements.
Here are key monitoring and reporting items to consider:
As an SMB owner, managing your IT operations is a huge challenge. This is even more difficult if you have little or no IT expertise. Even if you are confident in your abilities, having built home PCs and networks, making similar things work in a business network environment is a different ball game. Poor choice of hardware, and lack of awareness of interfaces, security considerations, and management can make IT seem like a cost center that keeps draining your budget.
Using this IT checklist, you will get an all-encompassing view of your IT infrastructure, helping you plug gaps, fix vulnerabilities, and enhance security. Ultimately, the goal is to help you turn your IT systems from a liability to an asset. As a business owner, the most important thing to remember is:
“not to focus on the management of IT operations, rather focus on how IT can help you achieve your business goal”
By treating IT as an integral part of your business, you will experience increased productivity, lower downtime, and reduced stress.
Do you have full visibility and complete control over your entire IT infrastructure? Do you need help managing your ever-expanding IT infrastructure? Reach out to us by clicking the button below for worry-free IT management.
